Mumbai: Amidst attack from the Opposition parties, Maharashtra Chief Minister Sushilkumar Shinde on July 29 announced that terrorist outfit Al-Aziz was behind July 28's powerful bomb blast in a bus even as forensic experts said high intensity gelatin sticks were used the deadly explosion that claimed three lives and injured 47 persons

In a related development, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-Shiv Sena combine called upon people to wholeheartedly support the 24-hour Opposition-sponsored Mumbai bandh on July 30 but exempted essential services from its purview.

Investigations conducted by the state forensic laboratory revealed that the explosive contained nitro- glycerine, nitro cellulous ammonium nitrate, which are commonly used in the well boring process and rock blasting techniques, director of the forensic lab Dr Rukmini Krishnamurthy said.

The explosive material was similar to that of the gelatin sticks that were found near suburban Andheri on December 3 which were later defused by a bomb squad, she said.

A high alert has been sounded all over the state, including Nasik where Kumbh mela would be inaugurated on July 30. A high-level meeting convened by the Chief Minister decided to hold combing operations to flush out terrorists.

Meanwhile, the death toll remained at three while the figure of injured persons in July 28's bomb blast rose to 47. A powerful explosion ripped off a best bus near Ghatkopar telephone exchange.

Police said six people were in critical condition and are being treated at Sion hospital. Other injured persons were admitted to various hospitals.

PTI